Build A Career In The Renewables Market With Solar Training

Can you imagine yourself working in an exciting new industry that's pushing environmental boundaries? If you get trained and qualified in green engineering you can do just that! Within months of getting started on a course, you could be ready to work here or overseas in a thriving new job or business.

Fuel prices are continuing to rise as gas and oil is steadily running out. Everyone is aware of the need to reduce their carbon emissions. Political leaders are striving to guide people towards greater energy efficiency by promoting and incentivising replenishable alternatives.

In Britain grants of up to 80 per cent are being made available (and in some instances 100 per cent) to cover the labour costs of certain energy efficient improvements. As well as being good for the planet, this is also very good news for domestic installers with the right certifications and expertise.

So if you're thinking about training to become a plumber or an electrician, why not gear your skill-set towards green energy? If you qualified as an electrician some time ago, you may want to update your knowledge of renewables.

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For more information on how to become a plumber, electrician or green engineer, why not download our FREE report on the training required to get into the industry?

How Do We Define Green Technology?

Green technology uses the earth's natural resources and converts them into usable energy. Sunlight, wind, the tides and geothermal heat are all naturally replenishable, and thereby 'Green'. Wind and water power had commercial uses many years ago, but now we can use the power of the sun for domestic purposes as well. Hence the opportunity for 'green collar' workers.

Solar Energy

Domestic hot water pipes can be connected to solar water heaters to provide free heat to the system. The current range of solar heating systems includes several that are sophisticated and state of the art.

A UK family could expect to get most of their hot water from a modern solar system from June to September. Throughout a twelve month period, a system should be expected to deliver around half the total hot water requirement. We can choose either flat or tubular collection systems. In order to collect the most heat possible from the sun, they should be installed on a roof that faces south. Solar electricity systems are used to gather the sun's energy via PV (photovoltaic) cells. Again, PV panels are designed to be attached to a roof or wall that is preferably south facing. As sunlight shines onto the panels an electric field is created that goes to an inverter inside the roof. From there the AC electric is connected to the electrical consumer panel that delivers electricity around the house.

Approximately forty percent of a household's electricity can be produced with a photovoltaic system. Users can therefore benefit financially over time as well as ecologically. Equally they can't waste any solar electricity, as the national grid is automatically fed back any electricity that isn't being used. To encourage more people to invest in solar PV systems, UK legislation has increased the amount energy companies have to pay for this fed-back electricity. In Britain an average of 850 kWh of electricity a year is generated for every kWp of solar PV installed. Put in perspective, the average household consumes approximately 4,700 kWh a year.

Geo-Thermal Energy

Ground Source Heat Pumps create heat sources from solar energy that naturally exists in the earth. Collector piping is placed down in the earth and fed with a special non-damaging solution that can't freeze. The solution flows through the pipes and collects heat which is taken to the heat pump. The heat pump can then provide heating for houses by warming the water in radiators and underfloor heating systems. Householders will experience lower fuel bills if they install a ground source heat pump. Also, if they're replacing an oil boiler, they could produce 540kg of CO2 less a year.

Green Engineering Training Courses

The right 'green energy' course will cover everything you need to pursue a worthwhile career in domestic renewable energy. Look for a course that will take you through all the domestic essentials, including health & safety, laws and regulations and if relevant guidance on starting your own business. Make sure you come out with a good knowledge of ground and air source heat pumps, and domestic solar technology. That's where a lot of future work is likely to be.

All aspects of your training should be geared towards real-world demand, and lead to recognised certifications. You might be offered optional tutorials, for instance on rainwater harvesting to recycle water.

A Future-Proof Career

The law now dictates that all homes sold in Britain must supply the new owners with an Energy Performance Certificate to illustrate energy usage and where efficiencies can be made. Sometimes suggested changes can reduce bills by many hundreds of pounds per annum.

And up to 80 per cent of the cost of installation work can often be claimed from the government if owners have 'green' systems fitted by qualified professionals. But that's just the start. Today renewable energy provides less than two percent of all domestic energy.

But by twenty sixteen the law states that for every new property built that figure must be fifteen percent. It will soon be socially, ethically and financially unacceptable to ignore renewable energy - and those with the right skills will find themselves in great demand.